2004 LS430 MPG disappointment
11-14-12, 08:36 AM
#31
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I would maybe look at replacing your upstream oxygen sensors, over time, they can get "lazy" even though to the ECM they appear to be working properly. At the same time, I'm not one to advocate "shotgunning" parts at a problem, but many people would advocate changing the O2 sensors as part of a "tune up", even if there's no codes being thrown. Especially if they've never been changed and you're near 100k miles.
Forgive my ignorance here, but I take it the upstream ones are the front sensors?
11-15-12, 03:06 AM
#32
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Your fuel economy doesn't seem all that inconsistent with U.S. government ratings and statistics for the 04 LS430 - see attached - considering that your LS430 is substantially heavier than the average U.S. market LS430 assuming my understanding is correct about the LS430 sold in Ireland and the U.K. having standard rear air conditioning, power back seat, rear audio controls, etc.
It probably doesn't help that you are paying the equivialent of over $10 per U.S. gallon. Petrol prices just rose sharply here in the U.S. but I am still paying about $3.50 per U.S. gallon (91 octane). Americans would "freak out" at the prices you are paying.
It probably doesn't help that you are paying the equivialent of over $10 per U.S. gallon. Petrol prices just rose sharply here in the U.S. but I am still paying about $3.50 per U.S. gallon (91 octane). Americans would "freak out" at the prices you are paying.
They tax the fuel and then add vat on top of the tax, complete and utter madness.
11-15-12, 03:09 AM
#33
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I get around 26.6 US MPG on the motorway ( highway ) and around 12.9 - 13.5 city.
how much heavier is the standard Premium model ( UL ) over here compared to the standard spec model you get over there?
how much heavier is the standard Premium model ( UL ) over here compared to the standard spec model you get over there?
11-16-12, 02:01 PM
#34
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I have a very similar story here in South Africa...
Getting around 13-13,8 MPG city and around 21-23 MPG highway...
I think one of the major differences is fuel quality...
Also, I am a quite steady and smooth driver, no hard accelerations or driving fast, etc...
Getting around 13-13,8 MPG city and around 21-23 MPG highway...
I think one of the major differences is fuel quality...
Also, I am a quite steady and smooth driver, no hard accelerations or driving fast, etc...
11-17-12, 04:45 AM
#35
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We have an 04 ls430 too
Around town around 20mpg
But last week I done a 500ml round trip
400 motorway @ between 55mph and 65mph
Was 36.4mpg
Done 100 miles town driving
Then the 200 or so miles on motorway showed a tank averse of 29mpg
Remember this is u.k
Around town around 20mpg
But last week I done a 500ml round trip
400 motorway @ between 55mph and 65mph
Was 36.4mpg
Done 100 miles town driving
Then the 200 or so miles on motorway showed a tank averse of 29mpg
Remember this is u.k
11-21-12, 07:09 PM
#38
I think a bigger factor is the rolling resistance on your tires and your inflation. I run Michelin Primacy MXV4's at 36psi (nitrogen) and consistently get 25.5-26mpg on the highway. When I was living in the city, I was getting 21mpg at best. The make/model of tire matters a lot. Some tires have more rolling resistance than others.
11-21-12, 07:56 PM
#39
No Mileage Disappointment Here
Don't know how you other folks drive, but I've been averaging in the low 20s in town and in the very high 20s on interstates with my 2006 LS 430. This past September I drove 750 miles in one day between Alabama and Michigan and averaged just over 30 mpg. I am definitely a laid-back driver but don't have problems with decent fuel mileage. I always use premium; keep my Michelin Primacies at 35 pounds pressure and drive deliberately.
11-21-12, 09:43 PM
#40
Driver School Candidate
2005 LS430 ML -- I do a 10 mile highway commute daily, with city driving between, and get right at 20mpg. Highway trip 2 months ago was only 23-24mpg (but it was up from Denver to Estes Park, maybe 4000 ft elevation gain. (Dunlop tires/18" rims) Tires are about to go, let's see what happens with the Primacies...
I am going to get a set of 17" winter tires - anyone noticed a difference between mileage of winter tires? Consumer Reports rates the Michelin XIce3 as "Excellent" rolling resistance; Hankook Icept Evo as "Very good" and Bridgestone Blizzaks as "Good." I assume that may make a mileage difference? Any thoughts on dedicated winter tires? I've used the Blizzaks before on another car and they are awesomely grippy but soft. The Michelins have a 40K warranty, and are about $125 more than the Blizzaks for a set of four...
I am going to get a set of 17" winter tires - anyone noticed a difference between mileage of winter tires? Consumer Reports rates the Michelin XIce3 as "Excellent" rolling resistance; Hankook Icept Evo as "Very good" and Bridgestone Blizzaks as "Good." I assume that may make a mileage difference? Any thoughts on dedicated winter tires? I've used the Blizzaks before on another car and they are awesomely grippy but soft. The Michelins have a 40K warranty, and are about $125 more than the Blizzaks for a set of four...
11-25-12, 10:12 PM
#41
I am going to get a set of 17" winter tires - anyone noticed a difference between mileage of winter tires? Consumer Reports rates the Michelin XIce3 as "Excellent" rolling resistance; Hankook Icept Evo as "Very good" and Bridgestone Blizzaks as "Good." I assume that may make a mileage difference? Any thoughts on dedicated winter tires? I've used the Blizzaks before on another car and they are awesomely grippy but soft. The Michelins have a 40K warranty, and are about $125 more than the Blizzaks for a set of four...
11-26-12, 11:01 AM
#42
Driver School Candidate
Yes, that's the current issue I have - do I try to use the LS all winter, or buy another car? And if I'm going to buy another, hmmmm, that makes me wonder if I shouldn't just get a NICE SUV-type vehicle and -----yikes---- get rid of the LS.....???? Could I????
11-26-12, 04:43 PM
#43
I drive pretty easy on my cars...fast, but easy accel/deaccel...
I thought I would be getting noticabley better than my 4.4 BMW and my 5.0 V12 BMW (21-19mpg respectively) but i was wrong. I actually pull between 18-19mpg in my LS430. This is a mix of city and highway, but more like 70% highway.
This is on my 19s with low pro tires, but my BMWs were on 20s.
I went on a San Diego roadtrip for AutoFashion, and got around 25-26mpg. I can't complain too much since this was 80-85mph with no cruise.
I thought I would be getting noticabley better than my 4.4 BMW and my 5.0 V12 BMW (21-19mpg respectively) but i was wrong. I actually pull between 18-19mpg in my LS430. This is a mix of city and highway, but more like 70% highway.
This is on my 19s with low pro tires, but my BMWs were on 20s.
I went on a San Diego roadtrip for AutoFashion, and got around 25-26mpg. I can't complain too much since this was 80-85mph with no cruise.
Last edited by C8V6C; 11-28-12 at 02:25 PM.
11-28-12, 08:20 AM
#44
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You should change your engine air filter. Throw out the paper one and put in a K&N filter. It makes your engine breath easier.
You should see a nice increase in miles per gallon and the car should accelerate a little better too.
Also i dont know if you have different grades of gas in Ireland like here in the USA but the car is designed to run on premium fuel. So if you are pumping a lower grade of gas try to put in the premium gas.
You should see a nice increase in miles per gallon and the car should accelerate a little better too.
Also i dont know if you have different grades of gas in Ireland like here in the USA but the car is designed to run on premium fuel. So if you are pumping a lower grade of gas try to put in the premium gas.
Last edited by elite7; 11-28-12 at 08:27 AM.